Super User

Just a note to tell you how pleased Pat and I are with the Yaris that we recently bought from you. The car was so clean and it is equipped so well for our needs, with new tires, new hub caps, new rain guards on the side windows, new battery. After 100K the car is almost like new. It is common knowledge that your dealership specializes in luxury cars that are perfectly prepared for sale, no surprise there, but we are so impressed that you apply the same standards to every car you sell, even a humble cars such as our little Yaris. Incidentally, we were favourably impressed with the route selected for our test drive. Thank you.

Do the seasons effect car sales trends?

Absolutely.

Generally speaking, spring time is sports car and convertible season, autumn is for 4X4s, SUVs and other more rugged, traction-focused vehicles. Watch the advertising and websites of off-road car makers after a snowfall or sunny, blossom-intensive March, April or May weekend.

Get ahead of the rush

Demand for sports cars, convertibles and roadsters values go up as the temperatures rise.

Some industry statistics suggest the price for a four-year-old, 40,000-mile convertible can rise by $1,600 in the first three months of the year and as the spring season commences. These increases vary by make and model, but generally speaking, a Porsche Cabriolet and a Mazda MX-5 will each see incremental price increases during the spring time and as demand for convertibles grow.

However, the discrepancy in the value of the Canadian and American dollar places additional upward-pressure on used convertible prices in Canada. American buyers are snapping up quality, good-condition sports cars and convertibles in Canada for import into the States. This impacts convertible supply in the Canadian market, exerting even more pressure on pricing in Canada.

A saying used by car dealers is to “sell while the sun shines.” Both tire-kickers and committed buyers are now beginning to visit the car lots, showrooms and websites in search of this year’s sports car, convertible or roadster. Don’t get left in the dust.

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Victoria Premium Automobiles can help with unique financing options for any circumstance

As a car buyer, you understand the need to carefully research the make and model of a vehicle before buying. But unless you are paying cash for that car or truck, there is also a need to take time to learn the pros and cons of available financing options.

Financing Your Purchase

So, you’ve fallen in love with the perfect car?

Before you drive it off the lot, here are a few things to keep in mind as you work your way through the vehicle financing paperwork needed to assume ownership.

Consider your financing options

You may want to turn to your bank or credit union, but how can you be sure you are getting the best rates and the most flexible terms? It is difficult for various reasons. Victoria Premium Automobiles works with lenders who offer flexible terms, competitive rates and quick turnaround.

Talk to Victoria Premium Automobiles and find out what they can do for you.

Victoria Premium Auto has invested time and resources gathering the best inventory.

This care extends to helping purchasers take ownership: when the moment comes, Victoria Premium Automobiles also wants to make sure you have access to the money, on the best terms you need to complete the deal.

This is where experience can come into play.

Dealerships such as Victoria Premium Automobiles understand that many customers will need to finance their vehicle purchase. It’s normal for this part of the process to be stressful – especially if you haven’t talked to lenders and do not know that there are financing options to suit almost every purchaser and every situation.

When considering financing options, you’ll need to look at a few specifics:

The vehicle model, mileage, age and cost

How much of a down payment you have

Your credit history

Financial information, such as income, as well as the amount of time you’ve been at your current job and in your current home.

Concerned about your credit, life events?

Even if your credit has been affected by unfortunate circumstances, including divorce or bankruptcy, Victoria Premium Automobiles, through our financing providers, will work with you to see if a financing plan can be found to meet your and unique circumstances.

If you’re concerned about your credit history, there are options to help you get the car you want while also rebuilding your credit score.

Financing Flexibility and Options

VPA Financing will present your requirements to a range of lenders and then you can decide which financing option best fits your needs. Borrow for the car you want, within your budget.

Contact Victoria Premium Automobiles today to discuss vehicle financing purchase options or fill out our online submission form and we will be back in touch.

When buying a premium used vehicle, a common concern is what kind of life the vehicle had before you sat down behind the wheel.

Prior to signing your name to one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make, take the time to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Without doubt, the most important thing you can do is carefully check over the vehicle yourself. Look for anything that raises questions in your mind and ask the seller to explain.

The person who owns the car should be able to answer your questions, either because they’ve had a long experience with the vehicle or they had similar questions themselves of an earlier owner. If you’re not getting the answer your inner voice wants to hear, you know further investigation is required.

When buying a premium used vehicle, always be wary of anything that seems too good to be true. Remember that information is power and there are steps you can take to make an informed decision.

One great way to find out where your ride has been is through a service called CarProof. This Canadian company has built a name for itself in the automotive industry as one of the most trusted methods for tracking the comprehensive history of a vehicle.

The company was in the news earlier this year after a couple purchased a car they thought was new but had previously been in a collision. The couple didn’t find out until a CarProof history report was generated months after they bought the car.

CarProof is offered by more than 5,000 dealers across the U.S. and in every Canadian province, including Victoria Premium Auto in Victoria, B.C.

A CarProof report can cost between $10 and $72 and, depending on the level of report you want, will give you accurate registration information, note any liens on the vehicle, and detail any collision history. The report includes details about odometer status and whether the vehicle has been actively reported stolen. The report also tells you what branding the car has been given by the government – any designation other than “normal” should be questioned.

CarProof gets its information from hundreds of data suppliers in Canada and the U.S., including government sources and private companies that inspected the vehicle in the past.

Weakening loonie creates opportunities for importing cars into the United States

A drop in the value of the Canadian dollar has been a boon to exporters as it makes goods produced here cheaper for people in other countries, specifically the U.S.

The lower loonie also makes importing a premium Canadian vehicle attractive to Americans. Of course, there’s more to it than buying a great car from a Canadian dealer and driving over the border. If you’re a U.S. citizen looking to take advantage of current economic conditions, the first thing you need to do is give yourself some time. You’ll need to contact a number of agencies and make sure your paperwork is in order.

There are a few extra costs you can’t avoid, such as tariffs, and a few that could apply depending on the age and specifications of the vehicle you select. Ideally, prospective buyers are looking for a higher-end vehicle so the additional costs make up a smaller percentage of the overall price you’ll pay for importing the vehicle.

The rules are much different depending on the age of the vehicle. If it’s over 25 years old, you can avoid many of the hurdles that need to be jumped for newer vehicles. Just make sure you have proper documentation showing the manufacture date.

Generally, vehicles over 25 years old are classified as “classic or antique” and are subject to a 2.5% duty based on value at the time of import. Canadian-made vehicles are usually duty free, but you’ll need to be able to prove they were built in Canada. Older vehicles also don’t have to meet all the emissions or safety standards that new cars are subject to.

For vehicles under 25 years old, you’ll need to contact various U.S. agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Border Protection Agency and federal as well as state transportation departments.

Most Canadian vehicles have emission systems that are much the same as those required in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Association recognizes this but notes that verification is still necessary.

EPA standards

According to the EPA, importers can verify whether the Canadian vehicle is identical to a U.S. certified version to find out if:

The Canadian vehicle has an emission label stating it is certified to United States EPA federal emission standards

The vehicle manufacturer’s United States representative has provided a letter of compliance that states the vehicle complies with all United States EPA regulations. Generally, EPA only accepts compliance information from the manufacturer’s United States or Canadian representative

The Canadian vehicle is not identical to a United States certified version, in which case you’ll need to do a lot more work, and likely pay a lot more money.

Even if the EPA agrees that your vehicle is the same version as ones certified in the U.S., another agency, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, might require a letter of compliance from the manufacturer.

You’ll also need to contact the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Check out its FAQ on the subject for more information.

Once you have the necessary paperwork in hand, you’ll have to pay a duty unless the vehicle was made in Canada.

U.S. Duty fees for vehicles manufactured outside Canada

Auto: 2.5%

Trucks: 25%

Motorcycles: either free or 2.4%

There are different rules if you’re importing the vehicle for reasons other than to use as your new day-to-day ride. For example, if you’re bringing the vehicle in the U.S. to take part in races or plan on only having the car in the U.S. for less than year, you might not have to pay the same fees. Check with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency for the latest rules.

The website EZborder Crossing offers a few tips, summarized below, that might help:

Once you choose a car to buy

Contact the vehicle’s manufacturer for a letter confirming your vehicle meets the required U.S. safety and emission standards. The letter needs to note the Vehicle Identification Number

If the letter states minor changes are needed, your option is to get an authorized dealer to make the fixes and then show the invoice to U.S. Customs

If the vehicle needs major work or doesn’t meet U.S. regulations, you might have to contract a commercial importer – however, this will be pricey.

Crossing the border

Make sure you have the bill of sale listing you as the owner.

You’ll also need the statement showing the origin of the vehicle, the title and the Vehicle Information Number.

You’ll need to pay GST but not PST. The GST will be refunded later. Make sure to clean the undercarriage as the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires it to be inspected to ensure you’re not packing any foreign soil across the border.

When you get home, make sure you have insurance and that the vehicle is registered with your state’s Department of Transportation.

Remember, this is just a quick guide. Make sure you check with your premium auto dealer for help with all the details.

Be the First to Know!

Take advantage of our best offers and exclusive promotions. Victoria Premium Autos is offering presale alerts and special reduced prices to VPA members only. Sign up today to get on VPA's Exclusive Sales & Offers notice list to ensure you are among the first to know about upcoming and presale events.

Leasing makes monthly payments on higher-end models more affordable

Leasing premium automobiles is proving to be popular option among a new generation of car owners.

According to a recent report, consumers between the age of 18 and 34 -- known as Millennials -- are more likely to lease cars than Gen Xers or Baby Boomers. That said, all three demographic segments are showing a renewed interest in leasing as an option when purchasing a new vehicle.

Millennials turned to leasing for almost 30 per cent of all new car purchases in 2015. That compares to about 27 per cent for the entire U.S. population.

Millennials are also leasing more than ever, up almost 46 per cent over the past five years. Across all generations, about 42 per cent more cars are being leased in 2015 compared to 2010.

The report is based on analysis by Edmunds, a leading automotive information company.

"Most Millennials understand and accept that they're on a tight budget and that they need to stick to it," Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com director of industry analysis, announced earlier this summer. "But it doesn't mean that their financial constraints limit them only to the most basic vehicles to get from Point A to Point B. If they see a chance to get into a nicer car while staying within their budget, they're likely to explore that opportunity. In most cases, leasing opens the door to the bells and whistles that they couldn't otherwise afford."

Leasing is typically a more affordable way for people to be able to drive more luxurious vehicles and is often preferred by people who don’t want to be financially committed to the same car for the long-term.

After reviewing car registration data, Edmunds’ analysts found that 28.9 per cent of all new cars were purchased by Millennials through leasing.

Crunching the numbers even more, Edmunds showed that youthful shoppers have a ceiling on how much of their monthly budget they’re willing to spend on their automobile. A survey conducted by Edmunds and the research firm Morpace found that 57 per cent of Millennials will only pay $2,999 for a down payment on a new car while 54.9 per cent will only pay $299 per month on a purchase. Shopping for a car with those constraints essentially limits the choice to new models that are less than $20,000. However, by leasing, budget-conscious consumers can stretch the same $2,999 down payment and monthly $299 payments to afford premium automobiles priced as high as $35,000.